Improvement in portable cutting-tables



l of the stand.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIon.

BENJAMIN STRAWBRIDGE, OF STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA.

IMPROVEMENT lN PORTABLE CUTTING-TABLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 156,68 1, dated November 10, 1874; application filed March 2, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN STRAW- BRIDGE, of Stockton, county of San Joaquin, State of California, have invented an Innproved Gutting-Stand, of which thefollowing is a specification:

My invention relates to certain improvements in a cutting-stand, such as is employed by ladies for cutting and laying out work; and it consists in the several combinations of parts hereinafter explained and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawing for -a more complete explanation of my invention, Figure 1 represents a perspective View of the invention. Fig.2 represents the under side of the stand. Fig. 3 represents the front Fig. 4 represents the side with the stand turned. Figs. 5 and 6 are details to be referred to.

M is a table top or board constructed of thin material, and having an opening or space cut away at one side to allow the board to be drawn close to the body of the operator. This board has cleats c c secured to its lower side for the purpose'of stiffening it, and to these cleats are hinged the legs A B in pairs, as shown. The hinges z are so put on that the two pairs of legs can be folded down across the bottom of the board so as to overlap each.

other. These legs are provided with crossbraces F, which serve to stiffen and retain them in place. Two cross-braces, G, are hinged to the back of the table or board at right angles with the legs; but when 'standing in their proper position they stand between the legs B B. At the point where these braces meet the legs two mortises are made through the legs, and the ends of the braces are cut in the form of a dovetail, so that they will enter these mortiscs. Just below the inortises buttons J are secured to the legs, and

by turning these buttons so that their ends press against the lower side of the dovetail or out in the braces G, these latter will be strongly secured in place, and the whole table will be perfectly rigid.

\Vhen the stand is to be folded and put away these buttons are turned so as to release the braces, which can then be withdrawn from the mortises in the legs by slightly separating the latter. The braces G are first folded down against the under side of the stand, and the legs A B are then folded across the braces, one pair above the other. In order to secure all these parts in place I make a clamp or button, K, which is secured upon the back of one of the braces G, and projects upward sufficiently to extend a little beyond the cross-braces F of the outer pair of legs when folded. This button is then turned so that one side of it holds this outer brace, an 1 thus the whole is secured in place.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

l. The two pairs of legs A B with their braces F hinged at opposite ends of the table M, in combination with the braces G, hinged at right angles with the legs, the whole arranged to operate relatively, as and for the purpose herein described.

2. The braces G of a folding stand, having their ends dovetailed, as shown, in combination with the legs B B, mortised to receive the ends of the braces, and provided with the holding-buttons J, substantially as and for the purpose described.

BENJAMIN STRAWVBRIDGE.

Witnesses:

J A0013 BLESSING, EDWARD Soorr. 

